When your child says that their ears feel clogged, or you can see earwax in or around their ear, you might wonder if you should attempt to remove the wax yourself. Let’s take a look at when earwax necessitates removal and how you can handle it safely.
When Should I Remove Earwax?
Most of the time, earwax will move out of your child’s ear on its own. However, if they tell you that their hearing is muffled, their ear feels full or they hear a ringing noise in their ear (tinnitus), it’s possible that they have an earwax blockage that needs removal.
If this is their first blockage, don’t attempt to remove wax before scheduling an appointment with their ENT specialist. We can conduct an ear exam and determine whether they need an earwax removal or if another condition, like an ear infection, is causing their symptoms.
Safe Wax Removal
If we find that your child does have an earwax blockage, we can remove it safely in the office using a scoop, suction or irrigation. If your child develops regular blockages, we may recommend earwax softening or dissolving drops and a bulb syringe to treat future blockages.
If earwax or other dirt or debris collects on your child’s outer ears (the visible portion), you can clean their ears with a warm washcloth. Just be careful not to drip water in their ears.
Remember, you should never use cotton swabs to clean your child’s ears. The swab is more likely to damage their ear canal or rupture their eardrum[1] than to remove wax effectively.
Teaching Your Child Safe Ear Care
When your child is old enough, you can teach them the importance of safe ear care. Show them how to clean their ears when they bathe and discourage them from inserting their fingers or cotton swabs into their ears when they feel itchy or full.
If your child shows signs of an earwax blockage, contact ENT for Children to schedule their ear exam with one of our specialists.
[1] Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Earwax buildup and blockage. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14428-ear-wax-buildup–blockage